As previously reported, the eShop will be down for maintenance on Tuesday specifically for redeeming eShop cards. More maintenance is actually planned before that though. Credit cards can’t be used for several hours this Sunday / Monday.
The maintenance schedule is as follows:
– 7 PM PT (February 5) – 3 AM PT (February 6)
– 10 PM ET (February 5) – 6 AM ET (February 6)
– 3 AM in the UK (February 6) – 11 AM in the UK
– 4 AM in Europe (February 6) – 12 PM in Europe (February 6)
From Sunday, February 5, 2017 7 :00 PM – Monday, February 6, 2017 3 :00 AM Pacific Time
Monster Hunter XX has received another video today. In the latest footage, a couple of quests are shown featuring Lao-Shan Lung and Deviant Diablos. View it below.
Analyst Hideki Yasuda wrote up a new article on GamesIndustry Japan earlier today. There’s one part of the piece pertaining to third-parties that stood out to us in particular.
Yasuda talks about how many investors were anticipating major overseas third-party games to be announced for Switch, but the timing wasn’t right (due to E3 being a few months away, etc.). He then mentions that NIS is making Disgaea 5 Complete for the system’s launch, which used to be a PS4-only title. NIS was never really on Nintendo platforms before, and their few Wii / DS games were buried among other games leading to a lack of success. 3DS also didn’t receive a high amount of support from NIS because of its unique specifications. With Switch though, the company is bringing over a PS4 title and on day one.
Yasuda was in attendance at Nintendo’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, and relayed a comment from Shigeru Miyamoto. Miyamoto said that games developed with PC as a base can be ported to Switch in about a year. The report also adds that the console was revealed to third-parties last summer. It’s thought that we could therefore see major multiplatform titles starting from the fall season.
Nintendo has followed up on the Splatoon 2 online details we heard earlier today with an official English translation. The overview covers meeting up with friends as well as voice chat.
Here’s the full rundown:
“We’ve received a report that Splatoon 2 will be compatible with an upcoming app for smart devices that enhances online play. This app will link with the game and allow you to set a play appointment with your friends and teammates invited through your social media accounts. It also lets you match up with them directly in the game and voice chat with them too.
For example, during a Private Battle, you can voice chat with all of the connected friends when you divide into teams, but once teams are set, voice chat is switched to communication only between teammates in the same team. Also, you cannot communicate with random Inklings you don’t know.”
Nintendo revealed today that it will have a commercial airing during the Super Bowl for the first time ever as a means of promoting Switch.
Speaking with TIME, Nintendo marketing boss Nick Chavez explained why it decided to air the ad during the big sporting event, noting: “There’s no bigger stage in the U.S. on which to showcase the platform. I think it speaks to our confidence in the system.”
Chavez also spoke about the audience for the commercial: “Think about your 40- to 45-year-old parent who has really fond memories of playing Zelda growing up, sitting there watching Super Bowl with their 10- or 12-year-old child who maybe hasn’t experienced Zelda yet.”
Nintendo could be considering a 3DS successor, if a report from Kyoto Shinbun is accurate. The publication is quoting president Tatsumi Kimishima as having said as much. Kimishima sees a need and market for it, hence why it’s being considered.
Take this as part news, part rumor for now. Kyoto Shinbun’s report is pointing in the direction of Kimishima considering a 3DS, though it appears to be pretty much the main outlet sharing the news.
Two digital titles have been dated for Europe. Plantera on Wii U / 3DS as well as WordsUp! Academy for Nintendo’s console are both slated for next Thursday.
Here’s the listing for Plantera:
#Plantera #EU #WiiU/#3DS #releasedate https://t.co/1X6H3xn0h4 @RatalaikaGames @GoNintendoTweet @NinEverything #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev pic.twitter.com/J1QuqstQ0k
— Nintendo Hall (@NintendoHall) February 2, 2017
And the listing for WordsUp! Academy:
WordsUp! Academy #EU #WiiU #releasedate https://t.co/dNm4X2HMcF @coderchild @GoNintendoTweet @NinEverything #indiegame #indiedev #gamedev pic.twitter.com/rDUDPMOZVl
— Nintendo Hall (@NintendoHall) February 2, 2017
Japanese publication Nikkei has additional comments from Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima about Switch and more.
First, Kimishima reiterates that pre-orders are going well. Since Nintendo is offering a new type of play style and experience in the form of a portable home console and controller that can sense the player’s motion, it is familiar to Wii in some ways. Kimishima thinks there is potential for Switch to sell as well as Wii.
We also have one extra note on Switch’s online service. To reiterate, it will cost between 2,000 and 3,000 yen per year. Kimishima says monthly and yearly payment options will be available.
Goodbye! BoxBoy! has a few different Kirby costumes that can be unlocked with amiibo. Take a look at the various outfits below.
Amazon has opened up pre-orders for the upcoming Pikachu New 3DS XL. You can get it right here. Worth noting, you need a Prime membership in order to reserve the system.
